CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At WCNC Charlotte, we are focusing our coronavirus coverage on facts, not fear. We aim to give our viewers the information they need from officials to best protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Facts:
- Cases in North Carolina: 2,870 with 33 deaths
- Cases in South Carolina: 2,232, with 48 deaths
- Cases in Mecklenburg County: 741, with 7 deaths
- New research suggests COVID-19 may spread easier than once thought
- How to file for unemployment benefits in the Carolinas
Two Gaston County deputies test positive for COVID-19
Two Gaston County deputies tested positive for COVID-19, officials confirm. The two deputies are quarantined now. The two deputies last worked March 30.
All deputies, detention center employees and civilian employees in Gaston County are required to wear surgical masks. Additionally, inmates must wear masks when out of their cells.
Amazon confirms worker at Concord facility tested positive
A worker at Amazon's Concord facility has tested positive for COVID-19.
Amazon spokesman Timothy Carter said the company is supporting the person who is recovering.
"We are following guidelines from health officials and medical experts, and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of employees at our site," Carter said.
Mecklenburg adds 100 cases in 24 hours
The number of positive coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County has climbed to 741, the county announced late Monday. One additional death was reported, bringing the county's death toll to 7.
Rowan County reports second COVID-19 patient death
The Rowan County Health Department confirmed a second patient who tested positive for COVID-19 has died.
Officials say the patient was in the high-risk category due to age and underlying medical conditions and was experiencing serious illness prior to death.
The patient’s death may not have been related to COVID-19, county officials said.
Charlotte City Council discusses coronavirus
The Charlotte city council is holding a virtual, strategic meeting where the agenda includes their on-going response to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
President Donald Trump, White House coronavirus briefing
President Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus task force hold a briefing from Washington. The US now has more than 337,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 9,600 deaths.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office detention officer tests positive for COVID-19
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a Detention Officer has tested positive for COVID-19 after being tested over the weekend.
The officer reported to the Detention Center-Central on April 3 and was screened before starting their shift. During the screening, the officer showed symptoms of COVID-19 and was asked to go home and seek testing.
“We are very thankful the screening process has worked and averted a potential exposure from entering our facility," Sheriff Garry McFadden said. "We will continue to make adjustments to do whatever we can to slow the spread of this virus. I wish the employee a speedy recovery and return to work.”
Those who may have been in close contact with the infected officer will be notified. This is the first known case of an MCSO staff member or contractor at the main Detention Center-Central with COVID-19.
North Carolina COVID-19 briefing
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D., and Director of NC Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry provide an update on the state's response to the covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. As of earlier Monday, there are over 2,800 positive cases in the state.
South Carolina: Stay home
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced Monday a 'home or work' order. Similar to the stay home order seen in other states, South Carolina officials are mandating residents stay home unless traveling to essential jobs or essential errands, such as grocery shopping or seeking medical assistance.
There are 183 new cases in South Carolina, bringing the state total to 2,232 people. Rate of 187 new infections per day over the past week. That’s an increase from the 90 new infections per day the week prior.
51% capacity on hospital beds in South Carolina.
Over 22,000 tests conducted in the state, with 10% of those testing positive
Burke County announces 5 additional cases of COVID-19
Five additional cases of COVID-19 have been announced in Burke County, according to the county health director. It brings the county total to 28.
The confirmed cases are both from traveling and community spread. Of the 28 cases, 15 are associated with long-term care facilities.
All confirmed positive cases are isolated, health officials say.
North Carolina prisons enact two-week halt on accepting new offenders
To stop the spread of coronavirus, the North Carolina Division of Prisons will not accept offenders from the county jails and will dramatically reduce the transfers of offenders within the prisons for the next 14 days, effective at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
CATS employee tests positive for COVID-19
An employee in the CATS Bus Operations Division, a contracted service through Transit Management of Charlotte (TMOC), has tested positive for COVID-19. This employee’s job duties require minimal interaction with rider, CATS confirmed.
CATS is working alongside TMOC to adhere to protocols set by Mecklenburg County Public Health.
Two city employees at the Rock Hill Police Department test positive for COVID-19
Two city employees in the Rock Hill Police department have tested positive for COVID-19. Police said it’s unknown if either employee contracted the virus as a result of work duties or workplace interactions, nor do they know if these cases are directly linked.
In accordance with recommendations from DHEC and the CDC, the police department has taken the following steps:
· Identified individuals who may have been exposed through close contact with the employees and made notifications as needed.
· Implemented a 14-day quarantine period in line with DHEC recommendations for other city employees who may have been exposed through close contact.
· Cleaned and disinfected their work location following CDC recommended procedures.
The employees who tested positive are required to stay home, away from the workplace, until symptom-free and fever-free, without the use of fever-reducing medication for 3 days.
3 cases of COVID-19 at UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is reporting 3 people have COVID-19 at the university. According to officials, 2 people are from the main campus and one from the Center City Campus.
To protect individuals’ private health information, UNC Charlotte will not identify employees or students diagnosed with COVID-19.
Amtrak Carolinian (Charlotte – New York) temporarily suspended
At this time, various states are undertaking specific safety precautions at stations for customers arriving from out of state. Check with each state for specific guidance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential travel for 14 days.
Election Officials Encourage Voting Absentee by Mail
York County Election Officials are looking ahead to the State and Local Primaries, scheduled for June 9, 2020. As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the county, Election Officials are searching for ways to decrease potential exposure for election workers and voters in upcoming elections.
With this in mind, officials are encouraging voters to utilize absentee voting by mail for 2020 elections. Voting absentee by mail could help alleviate concerns about crowded polling locations and potential exposure on Election Day.
For more information about voting absentee, please visit www.scvotes.org or call 803-684-1242 or 803-909-7194.
US Senator Ted Cruz comments on protesters getting arrested outside Charlotte abortion clinic
US Senator Ted Cruz took to Twitter in reference to eight people arrested in Charlotte on Saturday. The eight arrested were protesting in a group of around 50, violating North Carolina's Stay At Home order, according to CMPD.
CMPD says they asked those who exceeded the allowed amount of people to leave. Then, 12 who refused to leave were cited.
After the citations, eight people still refused to leave — those eight were arrested, charged with Violation of Emergency Prohibitions and Restrictions in response to the Stay at Home Order.
RELATED: 8 people arrested after mass gathering of protesters outside Charlotte abortion clinic broken up
Sen. Cruz shared a video posted by "Benham Brothers" of Charlotte on Twitter, showing the protesters speaking with CMPD.
"My friend David Benham was unconstitutionally arrested today in NC for peacefully providing pregnancy counseling outside an abortion clinic," Sen. Cruz said, in part, in a tweet. "If NC deems abortion “essential,” then pregnancy care services are as well. This is WRONG; Governor Cooper should be ashamed."
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has not publicly acknowledged the tweet from Sen. Cruz, or the Charlotte arrests.